Finland is a northern European country located on the eastern side of the Scandinavian Peninsular. It borders Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east, and also has southern and western coastlines on the Baltic Sea. The long country lies between the latitudes of 59 degrees and 71 degrees north, putting it well outside the latitudes in which viticulture is practicable (that said, neighboring Norway has one wine-bearing vineyard planted at an unlikely 59.4 degrees north). The majority of alcoholic beverages produced in Finland are beers, or spirits distilled from grain.
Vodka is perhaps Finland's national drink, in keeping with its location next to western Russia. The best-known brand is Finlandia, which was created in the 1960s. There are a number of smaller-scale producers whose produce is sold locally and, to a lesser extent, to overseas markets.
